Exogenously-Sourced Salicylic Acid Imparts Resilience towards Arsenic Stress by Modulating Photosynthesis, Antioxidant Potential and Arsenic Sequestration in Brassica napus Plants

Abstract

In the current study, salicylic acid (SA) assesses the physiological and biochemical responses in overcoming the potential deleterious impacts of arsenic (As) on Brassica napus cultivar Neelam. The toxicity caused by As significantly reduced the observed growth and photosynthetic attributes and accelerated the reactive oxygen species (ROS). Plants subjected to As stress revealed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in the plant growth and photosynthetic parameters, which accounts for decreased carbon (C) and sulfur (S) assimilation. Foliar spray of SA lowered the oxidative burden in terms of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion (O2•−), and lipid peroxidation in As-affected plants. Application of SA in two levels (250 and 500 mM) protected the Brassica napus cultivar from As stress by enhancing the antioxidant capacity of the plant by lowering oxidative stress. Among the two doses, 500 mM SA was most effective in mitigating the adverse effects of As on the Brassica napus cultivar. It was found that SA application to the Brassica napus cultivar alleviated the stress by lowering the accumulation of As in roots and leaves due to the participation of metal chelators like phytochelatins, enhancing the S-assimilatory pathway, carbohydrate metabolism, higher cell viability in roots, activity of ribulose 1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco), and proline metabolism through the active participation of γ-glutamyl kinase (GK) and proline oxidase (PROX) enzyme. The current study shows that SA has the capability to enhance the growth and productivity of B. napus plants cultivated in agricultural soil polluted with As and perhaps other heavy metals.

Optimization of salicylic acid concentrations for increasing antioxidant enzymes and bioactive compounds of Agastache rugosa in a plant factory

“…SA is a signaling molecule involved in various stress responses, including biotic and abiotic stressors [ 41 ]. Additionally, it has been reported to induce the expression of antioxidant enzymes and increase the production of non-enzymatic antioxidants, thereby contributing to ROS detoxification in plants [ 46 ]. The results of this study align with previous research that reported a positive effect of SA on the antioxidant defense systems of plants [ 47 ].…”

Salicylic acid and its use in cosmetology

“…The most common method to obtain salicylic acid is chemical synthesis from phenol by the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction discovered in 1859. The substrate of this reaction is sodium phenolate, the main product is sodium salicylate and the final product is salicylic acid This method enables the production of this acid on a industrial scale [1,2]. As reported in the literature, salicylic acid has also been synthesised from natural wintergreen oil according to the principles of so-called 'green chemistry' [4].…”

“…superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants such as gluta thione and acetylsalicylic acid. It also influences the regulation of sulphur uptake, thus affecting the synthesis of cysteine, methionine, heavy metal chelates, coenzymes, and vitamins [1,2].…”

Salicylic Acid Mitigates Arsenic Stress in Rice (Oryza sativa) via Modulation of Nitrogen–Sulfur Assimilation, Ethylene Biosynthesis, and Defense Systems

“…Salicylic acid (SA), a key regulator of redox signaling and plant immunity, has been observed in the realm of plant stress management and sustainable agro-ecology and food systems [18]. Bano et al [19] revealed that SA application in response to As stress modulates the activities of antioxidant enzymes involved in the N metabolic pathways and impacts the signaling of the NO 3 − uptake system. SA is recommended for improving the capacity of plants to withstand abiotic stress by promoting growth and enhancing photosynthetic efficiency [20].…”